All For Us

Chapter 16 (Astra)

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

I take a deep breath, calling on my days as a theater kid. Then, I fall into hysterics.

"Help us! We need help! We were kidnapped and now we're lost in a forest!" I'm fake crying through the phone, forcing my voice to come out high pitched and shaky.

"It's going to be okay. What's your name, ma'am?"

"Astra. Astra Cethian."

The line goes deathly quiet. I look over at my two companions, grinning as we all wait for the operator to recover from the shock of realizing, who, exactly, she's speaking to.

"Help is on the way, Miss Cethian. Please stay exactly where you are and remain on the line with me until they arrive."

"Okay." I sob the word.

The 9-1-1 operator continues to talk me through my faux panic attack until we hear the sounds of approaching sirens. I hang up on her right before they arrive, turning to face the guys. "Showtime."

I force myself to start actually crying, my limbs trembling as the blaring sirens approach at breakneck speed. As one, we turn to face the circus that has come to rescue us. There's cop cars, fire trucks, armored military vehicles, and even the fucking SWAT team along with countless A's.

There's a cacophony of sound as we're suddenly surrounded. I force my eyes down, playing the part of the scared, tortured woman. 

The countless members of various departments of law enforcement form a protective circle around us, and one lone man breaks away from the group, slowly approaching me as if he's scared I'll bite.

"Miss Cethian. We've come to take you home." I finally allow myself to look up, meeting his unflinching gaze. He's in a military uniform, and as I note the various badges decorating his shirt, I realize he must be a very high ranking official. Guess they took my disappearance pretty seriously.

I don't say anything in return, nodding my head before returning my eyes to the forest floor. 

"Follow me," the military officer says as he heads back towards one of the armored cars. We climb in after him, and I barely have time to take in the odd structure of the vehicle before we're moving at a blinding speed. 

"My name is General Saldoff. I've been tasked with returning you safely to your family." The General is watching me intently, and I don't dare hold his stare for longer than a couple of seconds. I remain quiet, bowing my head demurely. Kayson and Aydin are equally silent, both a formidable presence along my sides. 

The rest of the car ride flies by in a flash, and before I know it, we're pulling up to the White House. To my home. I look out the window to see my family already gathered on the steps, expressions of pure joy on their faces. 

Annette stands off to the side, away from the group, looking pissed for some reason. And then I realize that she was likely elated at my disappearance, because it eliminated the perceived threat I pose to her relationship with Dad. 

The car rolls to a stop, and it takes everything in my power to prevent myself from leaping out the door and sprinting towards my family. But I'm supposed to be broken, damaged, and severely traumatized.

We slowly exit the car, and my eyes are on my dad the entire time as we approach my waiting family. There are tears shining in his eyes. 

"Astra," he whispers, breaking away from the group, striding towards me on those long, steady legs. When he gets to us, he reaches out his arms to hug me, and I make myself flinch away. I hate myself for it, especially when I see his face fall. But in order for us to sell this, the only person I have to be okay with allowing any sort of touch from is Kayson.